Countries across the world are introducing fresh safety measures to limit the rising transmission of the Omicron Coronavirus variant. Here is a timeline of the how the variant

went from an emerging cause for concern in Southern Africa to arriving in the UK.

November 23:

UK scientists discovered the new strain after samples were uploaded to a Coronavirus variant tracking website from South Africa, Hong Kong and then Botswana.

November 25: The UK government announced to ensure a close investigation on the variant. According to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, early indicators showed the Omicron variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and the ongoing vaccines may be less effective against it.

Later, the British government added six southern African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Botswana – to its red travel list, suspending the flights from these countries.

People arriving from these countries before the suspension of flights were placed in home-isolation and PCR Test were conducted on day two and day eight.

November 26: A number of scientists termed the Omicron variant as “very serious”. Furthermore, Prof James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute, declared that the variant will “almost certainly” make the vaccines less effective. The variant was termed B.1.1.529, and MPs in the Commons stated that it “is highly likely that it has now spread to other countries”.

Downing Street called on people returned from one of the six southern African countries not to wait for NHS Test. Authorities traced to contact them before getting tested.

As the reports emerged, London's FTSE 100 drop by 3.6 percent and around £72 billion ($96.07bn) is wiped off in one of the biggest falls since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.

The World Health Organisation named the variant Omicron. Furthermore, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the challenges of the variant.

November 27: The Department of Health and Social Care announced two cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Brentwood and Nottingham. Authorities conducted further tests of those tested positive and other members of their households and they were told to isolate. Javid highlighted that the two cases are linked, following which Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola were added to the travel red list.

Later in the day, British PM conducted a public briefing in Downing Street in the presence of England’s chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

Johnson announced that the new strain appears to spread “very rapidly”, can transmit between the double-vaccinated and may partially reduce the protection of existing vaccines.

In order to contain the virus, the British PM announced that people entering the UK must take a PCR test by the end of the second day of their arrival. They are also asked to isolate themselves until they receive a negative result.

In addition, all contacts with a suspected case of the new variant are required to isolate for 10 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.

Prof Whitty noted that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will review the extension of the booster programme to the people above the age of 18 and second doses for 12 to 15-year-olds.

November 28: A third person was reported positive for the variant after he travelled to the UK. The case was found to be linked to travel to southern Africa.

According to an announcement made by the UK Health Security Agency, while the person was no longer present in the UK, the government was ensuring targeted testing in places where suspected cases visited. The authorities announced new mask-wearing rules for shops and public transport in England. Javid declared the introduction of testing regime for international arrivals “as soon as possible". Online passenger locator forms stated PCR tests instead of lateral flow tests are mandatory from 4am on November 28.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also confirmed their intention to copy England's border restrictions.